JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Nearly a decade in the making, the Jacksonville women’s basketball team lifted the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Championship trophy as it claimed the 66-63 overtime thriller over Austin Peay at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Monday night.
Back-and-forth scoring opened the game as the Govs' Mya Williams put up nine points while Dolphin forward Camaya Bowman netted eight as JU took an 18-17 lead after 10 minutes.
Jacksonville broke away a bit in the second frame as ASUN Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Year Tatum Brown scored half of the team’s points in the second quarter. Tournament MVP Makiya Miller put a stamp on the Dolphin’s offense when she drained a pull-up jumper just outside the paint as time expired and gave JU the 32-26 lead going into the break.
While Austin Peay continued to try and close the gap, the JU offense was pushing right back - extending its lead out to as much as 13 before the Govs got two free throws from Williams to cut the deficit to 49-40 going into the fourth quarter.
It was all Governors in the fourth quarter as their defense held Jacksonville to just seven points while Anovia Sheals put up eight points - four from the free throw line - to tie the game at 56 and send it to overtime.
The game came down to the wire as APSU’s Williams nailed a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to make it a 64-63 Jacksonville advantage. JU’s Miller sealed the deal with two free throws with nine seconds left on the clock as the Dolphins claimed the 66-63 victory and their second ASUN Women’s Basketball Championship.
Austin Peay’s Mya Williams led all scorers with 20 points while Anovia Sheals added in 18 and Jim’Myah Branton chipped in 11. Jacksonville had three in double figures; Priscilla Williams had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Carmaya Bowman and Comari Mitchell both added in 10.
With the win, Jacksonville will represent the league in the NCAA Tournament when the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Follow @ASUNSports for updates throughout the postseason.
All-Tournament Team
Makiya Miller, Jacksonville - Tournament MVP
Tatum Brown, Jacksonville
Bailey Burns, Jacksonville
Jim’Miyah Branton, Austin Peay
Anovia Sheals - Austin Peay
Shae Littleford - Central Arkansas
Cameron Thomas, Stetson